Community Bridges was founded in 1997. Over the years, we have provided holistic, sustained support to more than 3,500 girls, helping connect them with their futures – and with their community.

Here are some highlights of our growth and impact.

Community Bridges Timeline

6th Annual Girl Legacy Celebration

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Community Bridges Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Community Bridges Receives $5,000 grant from the City of Takoma Park

This grant award from the City of Takoma Park – part of its Community Grants Program FY21 – will support the development, delivery and the use of literary, performing, visual and culinary arts within the CB Girls Program.  

5th Annual Girl Legacy Celebration

The 2021 Girl Legacy Celebration – which was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic – featured Ana Sol Gutiérrez, Retired Maryland State Delegate, who received the Girl Legacy Award, and Jillian Copeland, Founder of Main Street, who received the 2021 Building Bridges Award. The night had many firsts, including our very first Partner of the Year Award, presented to Rainbow Community Development Center / Rev. Patricia Drumming. For the first time, we also had two Alumnae Award recipients: Mirian Fuentes and Jordine Williams. Our host/emcee was Allison Seymour, with special guests Congressman Jamie Raskin and former Girl Legacy Award

Community Bridges receives MCEDC High Impact Grant for Nonprofits

This grant from the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation will expand CB’s reach for students in a transition year that is so critical to their educational development. Read more.

Community Bridges receives Community Project Funding from Congressman Jamie Raskin to support the CB Girls Program throughout COVID-19
2021 Program Highlights

(Fiscal Year 2021: July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021) CB Girls Program expanded to serve 16 MCPS schools 100% of CB seniors graduated from high school 80% of CB graduates awarded MCPS Certificate of Merit 100% of graduating seniors enrolled to attend college/university 38 mentor/mentee pairs participated in CB mentoring program (18 Returning Pairs, 20 New Pairs) Continued to provide virtual programming during COVID-19 pandemic, while also being an essential bridge to community resources and support systems. 1,117 CB girls and their family members supported with access to basic necessities 500,000 pounds of food provided to CB girls and

Community Bridges stands in solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community

As anti-racist agents, we continuously fight for a fully inclusive and equitable society and beyond it. We believe that everyone has a responsibility towards a zero-tolerance for hate environment. Learn more.

CB Girls & Mentors March with Rob Bliss for #BlackLivesMatter

CB girls and mentors had the opportunity to march with Rob Bliss as he finished a 1,500+ mile walk through the Eastern United States for Black Lives Matter.

4th Annual Girl Legacy Celebration

The 2020 Girl Legacy Celebration – which was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic – featured Emily Garcia as the CB Alumna Award recipient, Carla Reid as the Girl Legacy Award recipient, and Ike Leggett as the Building Bridges Award recipient. The event featured special guest appearances from Councilmember Craig Rice and Brittany Johnson.

2015

  • Launched CB College and Career Planning Program
  • 100% graduation and acceptance to college or university
  • Organization received the EWomen Foundation Award
  • Executive Director inducted into the National Association of Black Women

2014

  • 100% of graduating CB girls seniors enrolled in institutions of higher education
  • 85% of girls indicated a positive change in all goal areas
  • Launched the CB Girls Mentoring Project
  • Launched the Sponsor A Girl fundraising initiative
  • Proclamation for 1st International Day of the Girl sponsored in Montgomery County
  • Hosted International Day of the Girl county-wide event
  • Developed KPI’s (key performance indicators)  for measuring Social and Emotional Growth/Learning in our girls in partnership with students from Rutgers

2013

  • Launched NEW CB Model, Vision and Values
  • Expanded programming in six feeder schools to serve more girls per neighborhood
  • Exeutive Director receives the 2013 The Daily Record Leading Women Award
  • Executive Director appointed to Montgomery County DHHS Advisory Board
  • Our True Colors annual showcase expanded to include all participating schools

2012

  • Hired fourth Executive Director, Cynthia L. James
  • Held first Annual Intern Appreciation Lunch for program assistant interns
  • Awarded for participation in Excel Beyond the Bell Middle School Pilot Program
  • Received Annual American Newswomen’s Club Holiday Award

2011

  • Participated in Excel Beyond the Bell Out of School Time Middle School Pilot Program at Mario E. Loiederman Middle School. The program is a collaboration between Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery County Recreation Department, and Montgomery County Collaboration Council.
  • 3rd Annual Conference held at Montgomery College Silver Spring/Takoma Park Campus. The theme of the conference was “Speak your Soul” with a theme of storytelling.
  • Held first annual Winter Art Showcase at the Silver Spring Civic Building.
  • Achieved the vision of a 7th grade Jump Start girl to hold a fashion show with a purpose. Held the Our True Colors Talent + Fashion Show to promote inner beauty and the power of being yourself.
  • Featured on County Cable Montgomery for our out of school time programming. The video featured our Middle School and Elementary School programs.

2010

  • Created new position for Family Institute Program Manager to work with parents/families of participants to create a more holistic approach to our work.
  • Enabled Ana Lopez van Balen, Executive Director, and Jacilyn Skupien, High School Program Manager, to travel to Morazan, El Salvador with Montgomery County Sister Cities Delegation for a week long experience.
  • Held 2nd Annual Conference at Montgomery College Silver Spring/Takoma Park Campus. The conference “Smart: The Rebirth of Cool” focuses on the social pressures to not act smart in school and how to counteract them.
  • Held first annual End of Year Retreat as a reward for girls in all programs who have had 80% attendance in program and have made their school’s honor roll.

2009

  • Piloted High School program in the Spring semester of 2009.
  • Held first annual conference on the topic of sexual harassment.
  • Honored: Ana Lopez, Executive Director was awarded the distinguished Eugene & Agnes E. Meyer Foundation’s Exponent Award for 2009.
  • Honored: Ana Lopez selected as a Washingtonian of the Year for 2009 by the Washingtonian Magazine.
  • Received citation from State Delegate Tom Hucker and a County Proclamation from Councilmember Nancy Floreen.
  • Recognized through Nourishing Heart Award from MCCF.

2008

  • Held first annual Open House for families and first annual Family Picnic.
  • Participated in art project with artist Carien Quiroga.
  • Standards for Excellence Certification through the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations.
  • Chosen for inclusion in the 2008-09 Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington.
  • Citation from Representative Chris Van Hollen, U.S House of Representatives. and from Delegate Sheila Hixson, Maryland House of Delegates.

2007

  • Celebrated our 10th Anniversary.
  • Changed name of Chicas Hispanas to L.U.N.A. (Luchando Unidas con Nuestras Amigas) The name means persevering together with our friends.
  • Received proclamation from County Executive Isiah Leggett.
  • Made an official partner of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and received in-kind resources from MCPS.

2006

  • Selected by the Community Foundation of the National Capital Region for outstanding work with middle school students.

2005

  • Named one of “40 for a Better Future” by Washingtonian Magazine, for our work to “strengthen the bodies and spirits of young Washingtonians and give them the tools needed to build better futures.”
  • Citation from Congressman Chris Van Hollen, in recognition of extraordinary work in helping girls to achieve academic success and develop outstanding interpersonal and leadership skills.
  • Received Nancy Dworkin Award for Outstanding Service to Youth, co-sponsored by Gazette Newspapers and Montgomery County Commission on Children & Youth.
  • Received Long Branch Athletic Association Community Hero Award, in recognition and appreciation of extraordinary contributions to the youth of Long Branch and the promotion of team sports.

2004

  • Began Dreamcatchers mentoring program for 8th grade girls. Girls were partnered with a professional woman from the DC Metro area and go out on monthly outings.
  • Selected as a Catalogue for Philanthropy organization doing outstanding work with girls in the community.

2003

  •  Began Chicas Hispanas program in response to requests from two middle schools for mentoring for recently immigrated Latinas.
  • Received recognition from Douglas Duncan, County Executive of Montgomery County, Maryland, in recognition and appreciation for the Jump Start Girls! Adelante Niñas! program.
  • Received recognition from the SHARE Food Network for building strong communities through SHARE-DC Metro.

2001

  • Received recognition from Eastern Middle School, in appreciation for contributions and support of after-school activities.

2000

  • Received Daily Points of Light Award, honoring those who have made a commitment to secure for all Americans – especially young people – the fundamental resources needed to lead a productive life.

1999

  • Received Washington Area Women’s Foundation Leadership Award.

1998

  • Began Jump Start Girls! Adelante Niñas! Middle School program begins at two Silver Spring middle schools.
  • Began Jump Start Girls! Adelante Niñas! Elementary School program at Oak View Elementary School.

1997

Community Bridges founded by two community activists, Naomi Nim and Mary Freeman.